La Toussaint

A delicious lunch with friends, followed by a bracing walk in the rain through beautiful countryside.

Turn the other cheek? Not us ...

Last weekend our friends Graham and Tracey came to stay at Le Pre vert. We first met 8 years ago when we moved into our apartments at Thollon-les-Memises, Haute Savoie. Although we were in different buildings we were invited for drinks and found we had a lot in common. They are both teachers, interested in music, skiing and cricket and we discovered that when we first started teaching, in 1979, Graham and I had lived about 500m from each other in a small place close to Cannock called Great Wyrley.

We'd meet up during most holidays for meals, drinks and the odd days out in the mountains. When we sold in 2009 we vowed to keep in touch and last Christmas we returned to Thollon to ski and this summer, on their way back to the UK, they made the long trek across France to visit us.

We took them to Angles-sur-l’Anglin which in many ways is a miniature Yvoire (a medieval village on the shores of Lac Leman) but without all the souvenir shops and the lake!

A semi-retired Graham helping Tim with a drainage problem.

On our way home we drove through the main street of Preuilly-sur-Claise (where Simon and Susan of Days on the Claise live). The day was hot so the car windows were wide open. Near the boulangerie Tim noticed a lad hiding behind some cars wielding a huge water squirter. As we drove past Graham was soaked by the squirter and although Tracey and Gaynor ‘see the funny side’ neither Graham nor Tim can. We manage a U-turn at the top of the hill and go back. Graham, for once, is speechless but wags a finger or two. Tim manages to tell the lad several times that he isn’t very pretty (in other words, this could mean that he is very UGLY!) Gaynor wonders whether gentil (kind) is the word he’s looking for!

Feeling somewhat better we drive back down the hill, do another U-turn, and back past the lad who is waiting for another unsuspecting motorist. He doesn’t notice us coming back or even Graham with a water bottle at the ready. Graham squeezes, and, with exceptionally good timing  and a squirt of biblical proportions, soaks the lad!

This kept our simple minds amused for the rest of their stay and whenever we thought about the look on the lad’s face as he was soaked we had a little chuckle.

Turn the other cheek? Not us …

Fireworks? What fireworks?

It reminded me a bit of the annual Terry Wogan firework spectacular. You know, the one that he did with either Deadly or Boggy Marsh on his radio show?

Well this one was at Angles sur l’Anglin on Saturday August 5^th.

Always a popular event,  Chris determined that we should go the very long way round from Champagne as the traffic would be horrendous. Luckily we found some spaces at the top of the long hill that leads down to the bridge. It was funny really ‘cos as we walked down there were plenty of other places to park. Still, we’d just eaten and walking off the excess would do us good.

One or two people were walking in the opposite direction, but others were walking our way so we continued undeterred. We could see activity at the chateau and passed a sign which assured us that we’d got the correct evening.

We were a bit early and as the masses were yet to arrive we decided to walk up to the square for a drink – incidentally the best chocolat chaud I’ve ever had! We heard a few mutters of discontent but ploughed on until we spotted another flyer outside the Office de Tourisme…

What a let down! If only someone had thought to post this on all of the other flyers. There was even more muttering in the square but at least the cafes were open. I still don’t know exactly why the fireworks were cancelled but the waitress said that it was something to do with the afternoon rain.

 So, no firework pics but a some of Angles at night.

In all the years that Terry Wogan got me to school smiling I don’t remember him EVER cancelling his display because of a spot or three of rain…

Angles-sur l'Anglin...

I’ve posted about Angles before as it’s one of my favourite places to visit whenever we're at Le Pre Vert. Angles is in the neighbouring Vienne. You can read the posts and view some of the wonderful sights here and here. 

A couple of weeks ago I made a flying visit to catch up with a friend who is in the midst of revovating a beautiful home there. It is an ongoing labour of love, but such a lot has been accomplished and the outcome is stunning. 

Before tea we took a stroll around the village where there is always something new to see.

Tim didn't come with me this time because when we are in France he still has to work, but I know he is keen to see the progress.

Luckily for Tim, I came home with a 'doggy bag' of cakes for him to enjoy...

B.O.G.O.F at Angles sur l'Anglin ...

Earlier this week we went to the Brocante at Angles sur l’Anglin and it turned out to be my lucky day! Last year I posted about my quest to add to my collection of knife and fork rests. You can read about it here.

Angles Brocante had a few sets on offer, and our friend Chris found this lovely set of daschunds, which he promptly bought. Just as I was thinking how nice they were and that I’d missed yet another opportunity, he presented them to me as a gift.

Sally and Chris then led us to a stall that they’d seen earlier. There was a set of crystal (although it has to be said, not very good crystal) rests. After some negotiation we got them for nearly half price at 8€. Now you might think that we were ‘done’, but I like them!

So, if you eat chez nous I now have a selection to offer. You might have to remind me to put them on the table though!

Back to my title, perhaps it should be the other way round. G.O.F. then B.O....